The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

Rail safety issues and actions

Recommendation

Output text

Safety Issue

The Works Infrastructure compliance officer (with overall
planning responsibility for ensuring that the overpass work site
was appropriately protected from train movements) and the North
Geelong 'C' signalbox signaller implemented a method of safeworking
based on section 15, rule 5 of the network rules. The variation in
safeworking arrangements was not formally communicated to
McElligott's, VicRoads or the ARTC. No opportunity was afforded
these agencies to review/challenge the safeworking arrangement and
to determine whether it was safe and fit for purpose. The revised
safeworking arrangements were clearly in contravention of the
safety plan that had been agreed between McElligott's, VicRoads and
the ARTC.

Safety Recommendation

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that V/Line
Regional Network and Access take action to address this safety
issue.